Cognitive system for a vehicle and its occupants

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a system for receiving, processing, and storing real-time data from various types of input, including but not limited to information from a vehicle&#39;s micro-processing systems, a driver information card, a vehicle information card, and physical attributes of the driver/owner. The system generally includes a processor mounted or otherwise installed in a vehicle which is capable of receiving data from the vehicle&#39;s various mechanical and electrical/electronic system, micro-processing systems, information cards, and physical inputs. The data can be used to grant a driver authorization to operate the vehicle and can be transmitted to third parties having an interest in the data such a system can accumulate.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a system for collecting vehicle dataand preventing unauthorized vehicle use, and, in particular, a systemfor collecting data from various vehicle systems, information cards, andother external data sources and transmitting the collected data toexternal data receivers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Over four thousand micro-processors currently operate the systemsof a modern vehicle. Such micro-processors are currently used to controlimportant vehicle systems, such as the ignition system, the fuel mixtureand flow, the transmission system, and anti-lock braking systems. Eachsystem is prone to malfunction, which may result in poor performance orcomplete breakdown of the vehicle. Upon such a malfunction, repair shopsmust subject the vehicle's systems to a series of diagnostic tests tolocate the problematic system, thereby increasing the cost of repairsand maintenance on a vehicle.

[0003] In addition, car manufacturers spend a great deal of time andmoney researching and testing such systems and may not learn of poorlydesigned systems for many years. This delay decreases the ability of carmanufacturers to quickly and efficiently replace poorly designed systemsand, eventually, leads to increased costs to consumers. Moreover, carmanufacturers would benefit from information, on a real-time basis,relating to how their vehicles are being driven, how their vehicles areperforming with respect to, for example, gas mileage, brakes, accidents,parts replacements, etc. In addition, consumers can get first-hand, upto the minute information regarding vehicle performance before theypurchase the vehicle. Such information allows manufacturers to designbetter, more efficient vehicles for realistic driving styles.

[0004] Furthermore, vehicle thefts cost consumers about seven billiondollars a year in insurance and replacement costs. In 1996, more than1.3 million vehicles were stolen. Moreover, in New York Cityapproximately one in every 48 vehicles was stolen in 1996. Vehiclethefts, such as car jacking, put people in physical danger and oftenresult in tragedy. Presently, passive and active car alarms can beeasily disabled by professional car thieves. More sophisticated systems,such as LO-JACK™, do aid law enforcement authorities in tracking downthieves. LO-JACK™, however, cannot prevent vehicle theft at itsinception in that it does not disable the vehicle. In addition, theremay be a time lapse between reporting the theft to the police,activating LO-JACK™, and reclaiming the vehicle. By the time the policelocate the vehicle, it may be too late in that the vehicle may bedismantled in a “chop-shop.”

[0005] Thus, there is a need for a system that provides real-time dataregarding the operation of a vehicle's systems and driving patterns. Inaddition, there is a need for a system that prevents unauthorizedpersons from driving a vehicle or decreases the incentive to steal thevehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention relates to a system for receiving,processing, and storing real-time data from various types of input,including but not limited to information from a vehicle'smicro-processing systems, a driver information card, a vehicleinformation card, and physical attributes of the driver/owner.

[0007] The vehicle data system (hereinafter referred to as the “VehicleData System” or “VDS”) generally includes a processor mounted orotherwise installed in a vehicle. The processor (hereinafter referred toas the “Vehicle Data Processor” or “VDP”) is capable of receiving datafrom the vehicle's various mechanical and electrical/electronic system,micro-processing systems, information cards, and physical inputs. Thedata received can be processed and output to external entities anddevices. In addition, the VDP controls the vehicle's ignition systemsand can prevent unauthorized persons from starting the vehicle. The VDSis preferably equipped with a transmitting device capable of alertinglaw enforcement authorities of possible theft or tampering with thesystem. The VDS may be provided with a Global Positioning Satellite(GPS) unit giving law enforcement authorities the ability to track thevehicle.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the user is prompted by the VDS toinput some form of physical data, i.e. retinal scan, fingerprint, voicerecognition, and to insert a driver and/or vehicle information card intoa card reader/writer that is designed to work in conjunction with theVDP. The VDP matches the data to information stored in memory and grantsauthorization to the user. This method alleviates the problemsassociated with, for example, lost or misplaced keys. If the data doesnot create a match, the VDS will not permit the user to drive thevehicle. During the trip, the VDS constantly monitors the vehicle'ssystems and provides data regarding the operation of such systems. Thisdata can be transmitted to law enforcement authorities, or transmittedor sold to repair shops, car manufacturers, or other third partieshaving an interest in the data such a system can accumulate.

[0009] If, at any time, the VDS is tampered with or disabled, the VDS isprovided with a radio transmitter or a transponder, used to alert lawenforcement authorities of such tampering. In this way, the presentinvention prevents a potential thief from by-passing the VDS.

[0010] It is envisioned that the system of the present invention wouldbe desirable to many different entities, such as, for example, carmanufacturers, repair shops, law enforcement authorities, environmentalmonitoring companies, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and insurancecompanies, to name a few. The present invention will decrease vehiclethefts as well as any unauthorized use, thereby lowering insurancecosts. The present invention will also provide car manufacturers withvaluable data about their vehicles, which may result in more efficientand reliable vehicles.

[0011] Other objects and features of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description, considered inconjunction with the accompanying drawing figures. It is to beunderstood, however, that the drawings, which are not to scale, aredesigned solely for the purpose of illustration and not as a definitionof the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made tothe appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] In the figures, which are not to scale, and which are merelyillustrative, and wherein like reference numerals depict like elementsthroughout several views:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a system diagram of the Vehicle Data System of thepresent invention;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a system diagram of the Information Storage DeviceReader/Writer;

[0015]FIG. 3A is a system diagram of a Third-Party Card Reader;

[0016]FIG. 3B is a system diagram of a Data Collection Unit; and

[0017]FIG. 4 is a system diagram of a unit used to deter theunauthorized use of a vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the present invention, thevehicle data system (“VDS”) 1, comprises a vehicle data processing unit(“VDP”) 3 for communicating and collecting data from various vehiclesystems 15 and physical input devices 5, e.g., a microphone 5A for voicerecognition, a card reader/writer 5B, and a scanner 5C such as a hand orretinal scanner. Further, vehicle data system 1 is provided with anelectronic data storage unit 7 for storing the collected data. In oneembodiment of the present invention, the vehicle data system collectsvehicle data and writes the collected data onto removable informationcards 28-34, as will be discussed shortly. In another embodiment, thevehicle data system compares newly entered physical data to physicaldata previously stored onto data storage unit 7, and allows the driverto drive the automobile if access is authorized. The vehicle data system1 also provides the function of displaying relevant information to adisplay unit such as visual display unit 9 and auditory display unit 11for communicating with a driver. Information such as, for example, thestatus of the various vehicle systems 15 can be displayed. In addition,information as to whether access to the automobile is authorized may bedisplayed. The vehicle data system 1 then sends the collected data to acard reader/writer 5B. The present invention also includes a transmitterdevice 13 for communicating with external entities and devices. As usedherein, the term vehicle is intended to include any means to transportpeople or things, such as any type of passenger car, van or sportutility vehicle, boats, planes, race cars, and any type of commercial ornon-commercial vehicle presently or hereinafter known. Furthermore, asused herein, the term vehicle systems 15 is intended to refer to thosesystems within a vehicle that are mechanical, or electrical, or thosethat may be controlled by a micro-processor of a type known in the art,such as, by way of non-limiting example, ignition systems 22, fuel flowand mixture systems 24, and transmission systems 26, to name a few.

[0019] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a system for thecollection of vehicle data and the storage of the collected data. Thissystem includes a processing unit 3, input-output devices 5, vehiclesystems 15, display devices 9 and 11, a storage device 7, and atransmitter 13. The processing unit 3 may be, for example, a software orfirmware controlled processor or any other comparable type of unit forsending, retrieving and analyzing data, and controlling devices withinthe vehicle to initiate pre-programmed responses as a result of theanalyzed data, such as, for example, a programmable micro-processor,microcomputer, minicomputer, a PLC-type controller, Application-SpecificIntegrated Circuit (ASIC) or the like.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 2, one of the input-output devices 5 from FIG.1 is depicted. In particular, there is shown an Information CardReader/Writer (“card reader”) 5B. The card reader 5B is in communicationwith the processing unit 3. The processing unit 3 may receive data frominput devices such as the card reader 5B. In one embodiment of theinvention, the card reader may read information from one or a pluralityof information cards, such as a first information card 28, a secondinformation card 30, a third information card 32, and a fourthinformation card 34. Information cards 28, 30, 32, and 34 can be one ofseveral types, such as, for example, Erasable Programmable Read-OnlyMemory (EPROM), bonded cards, bar-coded cards, magnetic strip cards,Single In-Line Memory Module (SIMM), smart cards, etc. The firstinformation card 28 can include information related to the driver of thevehicle. Such information may include, but is not limited to,information generally found on a state-issued driver's license, drivingrecords, medical information, family/relatives information, andinsurance information. The second information card 30 can includeinformation related to the vehicle itself. For example, the secondinformation card may include, but is not limited to, the VIN, vehicleregistration information, vehicle inspection information, vehicle repairhistories, and the like. The third information card 32 can serve as adebit card to pay for highway, bridge and tunnel tolls, park entrancefees, and the like. The fourth information card 34 can serve as apassenger card to keep track of which passengers may be present in theautomobile at any given time, or contain other information such aswhether there are children in the vehicle, the driver's and passengers'blood-types, emergency contact information, and the like. One skilled inthe art will realize, however, that any number of information cardscontaining information of any type, may be utilized with the presentinvention.

[0021] The driver of the automobile (and any passengers of the vehiclewho may have fourth information cards 34) would then have to downloadinformation from the information cards 28-34 to the card reader 5B. Thedownloading of the information can take one of several contact andnon-contact forms such as, for example, optical, electrical, magnetic,and acoustic. For example, the driver may swipe a card with a magneticstrip through a card reader 5B, insert a smart card into the card reader5B, or the like. Once the information from one or more of theinformation cards 28, 30, 32 and 34 has been inputted, the processingunit 3 can retrieve the downloaded information from the information cardreader 5B.

[0022] Referring again to FIG. 1, the processing unit 3 is capable ofretrieving vehicle data from the vehicle systems. In particular, theprocessing unit 3 may retrieve malfunction information such as thatrelated to the ignition system 22, the fuel mixture and fuel flow system24, the transmission 26, the anti-lock braking system, and the like. Inaddition, vehicle data such as average, maximum and minimum speedsdriven, average fuel consumption, distance traveled, and the like may beretrieved from the vehicle systems and calculated by the processing unit3 and this information may be displayed on a visual display unit 9 or anauditory unit 11.

[0023] Once the processing unit receives the collected data, thisinformation can be stored in data storage device 7. Data storage device7 may be, for example, a hard disk of the type known in the art or anyother device capable of storing data for use by the processing unit 3.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the retrieved vehicle data wouldcorrespond to both the individual driver based on the informationreceived from the first information card 28 and to a specific vehiclebased on the information from the second information card 30.

[0025] Once the collected data is stored onto the data storage device 7,it is capable of being accessed by the processing unit 3 in order todisplay the collected data to the driver. The collected data can bedisplayed on a visual display device 9, an auditory display device 11,or both.

[0026] In addition, the collected data which is stored on the datastorage device 7 can be outputted to the information cards 28-34 via theinput-output device 5 such as the card reader/writer 5B. Such outputtedinformation may include automobile diagnostics, driver's drivinghistory, etc. Since the information cards 28-34 are easily removablefrom the card reader/writer 5B, the information contained on theinformation cards 28-34 can be easily transferred to many third-partiessuch as, for example, a central database 16, the Department ofTransportation (DOT) 40, law enforcement 42, vehicle manufacturers 43,insurance companies 44, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) 45, andhospitals 46, to name a few. Insurance companies would benefit fromreceiving the outputted information in that they would receiveinformation not normally reported to insurance companies by drivers. Forexample, information such as running red lights and stop signs, vehicleself-repairs, speeding, etc. In addition, the DMV would benefit bysaving time, money, and effort by requiring that only vehicles whichneed to be inspected are inspected. For example, if the collectedinformation relating to the brakes and the exhaust of the vehicle issatisfactory with the DMV, then the DMV may not need to inspect thevehicle.

[0027] Furthermore, in case of an accident, the VDS may prompt thedriver to speak or respond in order to determine if the driver is okay.If the driver does not respond, the VDS can automatically alert theproper authorities, call the nearest hospital, provide vehicle location,provide medical records, etc.

[0028] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a third-party cardreader/writer 36 that may receive the input of information cards 28-34.In addition, the third-party card reader/writer 36 may write relevantinformation onto the information cards 28-34 such as, for example, thedate for the next oil change or the DMV may update the driver's drivingrecord, etc. Information received by the third-party card reader/writer36 can be downloaded to a local database 35.

[0029] Referring once again to FIG. 1, information stored onto the datastorage device 7 may also be transmitted to the external entities anddevices such as those mentioned in the previous paragraph, via wirelesstransmission. In particular, the transmitter 13 can be used to transmitinformation via, or example, a radio frequency (RF) transmitter or viaan infrared radiation (IR) transmitter. One skilled in the art willrecognize from the teachings herein that the information may betransferred to many external entities and devices using any number oftypes of known data transmission techniques, such as, for example,cellular telephones, wireless modems, or the like.

[0030] In the preferred embodiment, the collected data is transmitted todata collection units 60 which may be located, for example, along thehighway. The data collection units 60 may include, for example, asensor/receiver 62, a processor 64, a transceiver 66, and data storageunit 68. The processor 64 can be programmed so that the collected datacan be to automatically transmitted from the transceiver 66 in the datacollection units 60 to certain external entities, such as, for example,vehicle manufacturers 43, DMV 45, hospitals 46, and others justdiscussed above.

[0031] For example, an automobile dealer may want data collected fromcertain makes of automobiles, at certain times, and/or from certainhighways. Accordingly, the automobile dealers may set up data collectionunits 60 to collect the selected data and transmit the data to themautomatically on a real-time basis. It should be noted that thecollected data may also be retrieved by the external entities byaccessing the transceiver 66 and local database 68 such as that incommunication with the processor 64 as shown in FIG. 3B. In such a case,the external entities, such as automobile dealers, may not receive thecollected data in real-time.

[0032] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown another embodiment of thepresent invention where the system is to deter the unauthorized use of avehicle and prevent theft of the same. In particular, a driver/owner ofa vehicle will first set-up the system by storing the driver's physicaldata onto the data storage device 7. Such physical data may include theentry of a password via a keyboard, a driver's voice, a driver's retinalscan, a driver's hand-print, or the like. The physical data may beretrieved from the driver/owner by the use of a keyboard, a microphone,a retinal scanner or a hand-scanner. The retrieved physical data may bestored onto the data storage device 7.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 2, upon entering the vehicle, the driver mustdownload information from the first and second information cards 28, 30.As previously discussed, this may be accomplished, for example, byswiping the information cards 28, 30 through the card reader 5B or byany other types of contact and non-contact methods of downloadinginformation. This information is then transmitted to the processing unit3. Once the information from the information cards has been transmittedto the processing unit 3, the processing unit 3 then requests the inputof information from the driver. By use of the display devices 9 and 11,the processing unit 3 may, for example, prompt the driver to recite apre-determined phrase into a microphone 5A. With the use of voicerecognition software known in the art, the processor compares the newlyentered voice to that which is stored on the data storage device 7 byanalyzing the voice patterns. Of course, the processing unit 3 can alsorequest the driver to provide the input of a hand-print using a scanner5C, which may be a hand-scanner, or a retinal scan using a retinalscanner, and compare these inputs in a manner similar to the voicecomparison discussed above.

[0034] The processing unit 3 determines whether the driver is authorizedto operate the vehicle. If the driver is not authorized to operate thevehicle, the processing unit 3 initiates a safety mode. The safety modeessentially disables the vehicle. In order to disable the vehicle, theprocessing unit, which is in communication with several, if not all, ofthe vehicle systems, transmits a control signal to certain vehiclesystems. For example, a control signal sent to the unit controlling thefuel-flow system 24 may prevent any fuel from entering the engine of thevehicle. Another example may be where a control signal is sent to theunit that controls the ignition system 22 thereby disallowing thestarting of the vehicle. One skilled in the art will realize that thereare many methods to temporarily disable the vehicle. Upon thedisablement of the vehicle, a transmitter 13 would alert the localauthorities that there is an unauthorized use in progress bytransmitting an alert signal.

[0035] In addition, the system preferably includes a Global PositioningSatellite (GPS) unit 14. GPS data from the GPS unit can also be routedby the processor unit 3 to transmitter 13 to be sent to law enforcementas part of the alert signal. This will allow the local authorities toquickly locate the vehicle. The use and operation of GPS systems arewell-known in the art and, therefore, these systems require no furtherdiscussion.

[0036] If the driver is authorized to operate the automobile, the drivermay choose to modify the vehicle settings. For example, the driver/ownerof the vehicle may choose to add or remove family members or friendsfrom the list of drivers eligible to operate the vehicle. This featureis particularly useful for rental car businesses, which could grantaccess only to their rental customers and have access to real-timeinformation regarding their customers' usage and driving patterns suchas miles driven, amount of gas in tank, if driver was speeding, timeengine was shut-off, etc. In addition, the rental business can beprovided with information as to the exact minute the vehicle was in thecustomer's possession and the exact minute it was dropped-off to therental office. Each time a new customer rents the vehicle, the driverinformation could be updated by the rental company. This alleviates theproblems associated with unauthorized friends and relatives operatingthe rental vehicle.

[0037] It is preferred, with reference to both of the embodiments of thepresent invention discussed above, that the processor 3 is mounted insuch a position in the vehicle so that it is not visible and cannoteasily be accessed by the driver or any person in the vehicle. Thepurpose of placing the processor 3 in such a manner is to deter anyonefrom tampering with the processor 3 in an unauthorized manner.Unauthorized tampering may include, for example, a person trying topower-down the system, reprogram the processor, physically damage thesystem, or the like.

[0038] As an additional safeguard, to deter or prevent the unauthorizedtampering with the processor 3 or any other system component, it ispreferred that the present invention automatically transmit a warningsignal upon such tampering. Such a signal may be transmitted directly toa predetermined local authority, a security agency, the police, or thelike.

[0039] In particular, the transmission of the tamper warning signal maypreferably be sent by using the transmitter 13, previously discussedabove. For example, if someone were to tamper with the data storagedevice 7 by attempting to store new information or delete existinginformation, a tamper signal could be sent to the processor 3 whichwould then send a tamper warning signal to the transmitter 13, whichwould ultimately transmit a tamper warning signal to the police.

[0040] Alternatively, a transponder 50, which is an art-recognizedtransceiver in that it contains both a transmitter and receiver, may beused to automatically transmit a signal when a predetermined “trigger”is received by the transponder 50. The “trigger,” which in anart-recognized manner is often in the form of a pulse, can be sent bythe processor 3 upon the unauthorized tampering as discussed above.Other system components may also be set-up to send a “trigger” to thetransponder 50 directly upon the tampering of each such component. Thismay be accomplished using some type of wireless communication known inthe art.

[0041] The transponder 50 can be a separate unit not attached to thetransmitter 13 previously discussed. In this manner, it can have aseparate power supply 52. A separate power supply has the advantage thatit will not power-down if the power supply driving the VDS powers-down.Furthermore, a separate unit allows for additional ease in hiding thetransponder 50.

[0042] In addition, the driver, while in the vehicle, may also choose toactivate the transponder which will contact the police and have thevehicle tracked in a situation where the vehicle is hi-jacked. This maybe accomplished by having a panic button 53 which is in communicationwith the processing unit 3, in communication directly with thetransponder 50, or both. The panic button 53 may be placed in a positioneasily accessible to the driver. If the panic button 53 is directly incommunication with the processing unit 3, pressing the panic button 53will cause a warning signal to be sent to the police, or the like, viathe transmitter 13. In addition, since the processing unit can alsocontrol the vehicle systems, pressing the panic button can also disablethe vehicle within a reasonable distance so that the system 1 hassufficient time to alert the police or the authorities of the hijack inprogress. In addition, a driver may want to stop the vehicle as soon aspossible without having the vehicle travel a reasonable distance. Insuch a case, the driver would have to, for example, press the panicbutton twice. The processor 3 would be programmed to stop the car assoon as possible upon receipt of such an instruction.

[0043] This feature will assist in ensuring the authenticity of the datain that a warning signal will be sent if anyone attempts to manipulateor delete any of the data contained in the processor 3 or the datastorage device 7. Furthermore, this will aid in preventing any overrideof the VDS system in that a warning signal will be transmitted upon anyattempts to override the system. Also, the use of the panic button 53 inconjunction with the VDS 1 will aid in reducing or preventinghijackings.

[0044] Thus, while there have been shown and described and pointed outfundamental novel features of the invention as applied to preferredembodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions andsubstitutions and changes in the form and details of the disclosedinvention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing fromthe spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to belimited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

1. A system for retrieving and transmitting vehicle data comprising: aninput-output device mounted in a vehicle and capable of receiving inputdata from an information storage device removable from said vehicle; aprocessor mounted in said vehicle and in communication with saidinput-output device and a plurality of vehicle systems, said processorcapable of retrieving said input data from said input-output device andretrieving vehicle data from one or more of said plurality of vehiclesystems, said retrieved vehicle data forming a part of said input data;said processor further capable of transmitting said retrieved vehicledata to said input-output device; and said input-output device furthercapable of outputting said retrieved vehicle data to said informationstorage device for storage thereon.
 2. A system according to claim 1such that said system further comprises a data storage device connectedto said processor and capable of storing said retrieved vehicle data andsaid input data.
 3. A system according to claim 1 such that said systemfurther comprises a display device capable of displaying said retrievedvehicle data and said input data to a driver of said vehicle.
 4. Asystem according to claim 1 such that said system further comprises atransmitter for transmitting said retrieved vehicle data using wirelesstransmission.
 5. A system according to claim 1 such that said systemfurther comprises a transmitter for transmitting a signal upon theunauthorized tampering with said system.
 6. A system according to claim1 such that information stored on said information storage devicecomprises a driver's name and address.
 7. A system according to claim 1such that information stored on said information storage devicecomprises a driver's driver license identification number andinformation identifying a state that issued a driver license to saiddriver.
 8. A system according to claim 1 such that information stored onsaid information storage device comprises a driver's medical and dentalhistory information and emergency contacts information.
 9. A systemaccording to claim 1 such that information stored on said informationstorage device comprises a vehicle license number and vehicleidentification number.
 10. A system according to claim 1 such thatinformation stored on said information storage device comprises avehicle make and model identification.
 11. A system according to claim 1such that information stored on said information storage devicecomprises vehicle maintenance and repair history information and vehicleperformance information.
 12. A system according to claim 1 such thatinformation stored on said information storage device comprises accountbalance information.
 13. A system according to claim 1 such thatinformation stored on said information storage device comprises avehicle passenger's name and address.
 14. A system according to claim 1such that information stored on said information storage devicecomprises a vehicle passenger's medical and dental history informationand emergency contacts information.
 15. A system for auto theftprevention comprising: a storage device capable of storing previouslyreceived physical data from an authorized driver of a vehicle; aninput-output device mounted in a vehicle and capable of receiving inputdata from an information storage device removable from said vehicle, andfurther capable of receiving new physical data from an operatorattempting to operate said vehicle; a processor mounted in said vehicleand in communication with said storage device, said input-output deviceand a plurality of vehicle systems, said processor being capable ofretrieving said input data and new physical data from said input-outputdevice and further capable of retrieving said previously receivedphysical data associated with said input data from storage device; andsaid processor further capable of comparing said new physical data tosaid previously received physical data to determine if said operatorattempting to operate said vehicle is an authorized driver, and beingcapable of communicating a control signal to one or more vehicle systemsof said plurality in response to said comparison such that said controlsignal disables said vehicle if said determination is negative.
 16. Asystem according to claim 15 , such that a transmitter is connected tosaid processor and capable of transmitting a signal upon the disablementof said vehicle.
 17. A system according to claim 15 , such that thesystem further comprises a global positioning satellite (GPS) unit. 18.A system according to claim 15 , such that said transmitter transmits awarning signal upon the unauthorized tampering with the system.
 19. Asystem according to claim 15 , such that said system further comprises apanic button capable of sending a control signal to said transmittersuch that said transmitter is capable of transmitting a warning signal.20. A system according to claim 15 , such that said system furthercomprises a panic button capable of sending a first control signal tosaid processor in response to activation of said panic button, saidprocessor, in response to said first control signal, capable oftransmitting a second control signal to one or more of said plurality ofvehicle systems whereby said second control signal is capable ofcontrolling said one or more of said plurality of vehicle systemsthereby disabling said vehicle.
 21. A system according to claim 15 suchthat information stored on said information storage device comprises adriver's name and address.
 22. A system according to claim 15 such thatinformation stored on said information storage device comprises adriver's driver license identification number and informationidentifying a state that issued a driver license to said driver.
 23. Asystem according to claim 15 such that information stored on saidinformation storage device comprises a driver's medical and dentalhistory information and emergency contacts information.
 24. A systemaccording to claim 15 such that information stored on said informationstorage device comprises a vehicle license number and vehicleidentification number.
 25. A system according to claim 15 such thatinformation stored on said information storage device comprises avehicle make and model identification.
 26. A system according to claim15 such that information stored on said information storage devicecomprises vehicle maintenance and repair history information and vehicleperformance information.
 27. A system according to claim 15 such thatinformation stored on said information storage device comprises accountbalance information.
 28. A system according to claim 15 such thatinformation stored on said information storage device comprises avehicle passenger's name and address.
 29. A system according to claim 15such that information stored on said information storage devicecomprises a vehicle passenger's medical and dental history informationand emergency contacts information.
 30. A system for retrieving andtransmitting vehicle data comprising: an input-output device mounted ina vehicle and capable of receiving input data from an informationstorage device removable from said vehicle; a processor mounted in saidvehicle and in communication with said input-output device and aplurality of vehicle systems, said processor capable of retrieving saidinput data from said input-output device and retrieving vehicle datafrom one or more of said plurality of vehicle systems, said retrievedvehicle data forming a part of said input data; a transmitter incommunication with said processor such that said transmitter is capableof transmitting said retrieved vehicle data to data collection units,said data collection units deployed along a roadway and in wirelesscommunication with said transmitter; and said data collection unitsfurther capable of being accessed by selected third-party entities sothat said third-party can receive said retrieved vehicle data.
 31. Asystem according to claim 30 such that said system further comprises adata storage device connected to said processor and capable of storingsaid retrieved vehicle data and said input data.
 32. A system accordingto claim 30 such that said system further comprises a display devicecapable of displaying said retrieved vehicle data and said input data toa driver of said vehicle.
 33. A system according to claim 30 such thatsaid data collection units further include a data storage deviceconnected to said processor and capable of storing said retrievedvehicle data and said input data.
 34. A system according to claim 30such that information stored on said information storage devicecomprises a driver's name and address.
 35. A system according to claim30 such that information stored on said information storage devicecomprises a driver's driver license identification number andinformation identifying a state that issued a driver license to saiddriver.
 36. A system according to claim 30 such that information storedon said information storage device comprises a driver's medical dentalhistory information and emergency contacts information.
 37. A systemaccording to claim 30 such that information stored on said informationstorage device comprises a vehicle license number and vehicleidentification number.
 38. A system according to claim 30 such thatinformation stored on said information storage device comprises avehicle make and model identification.
 39. A system according to claim30 such that information stored on said information storage devicecomprises vehicle maintenance and repair history information and vehicleperformance information.
 40. A system according to claim 30 such thatinformation stored on said information storage device comprises accountbalance information.
 41. A system according to claim 30 such thatinformation stored on said information storage device comprises avehicle passenger's name and address.
 42. A system according to claim 30such that information stored on said information storage devicecomprises a vehicle passenger's medical and dental history informationand emergency contacts information.
 43. A method of collecting vehicledata comprising: deploying a data collection unit within a predeterminedproximity to a path traversed by a vehicle from which data is to becollected; establishing a communication link between said datacollection unit and a vehicle having an input-output device mounted insaid vehicle and capable of receiving input data from an informationstorage device removable from said vehicle, a processor mounted in saidvehicle and in communication with said input-output device and aplurality of vehicle systems, said processor capable of retrieving saidinput data from said input-output device and retrieving vehicle datafrom one or more of said plurality of vehicle systems, said retrievedvehicle data forming a part of said input data, and a transmitter incommunication with said processor such that said transmitter is capableof transmitting said retrieved vehicle data to said data collectionunits via said communication link; causing the transmission of saidretrieved vehicle data to said data collection units via saidcommunication link; and accessing said data collection unit so that saidretrieved vehicle data may be collected.
 44. The method according toclaim 43 further comprising a step of storing said retrieved vehicledata and said input data to a data storage device connected to saidprocessor.
 45. The method according to claim 43 further comprising astep of displaying said retrieved vehicle data and said input data to adriver of said vehicle.
 46. The method according to claim 43 such thatsaid step of establishing a communication link between said datacollection unit and a vehicle having an input-output device mounted insaid vehicle and capable of receiving input data from an informationstorage device removable from said vehicle, further comprises saidinformation storage device having a driver's name and address.
 47. Themethod according to claim 43 such that said step of establishing acommunication link between said data collection unit and a vehiclehaving an input-output device mounted in said vehicle and capable ofreceiving input data from an information storage device removable fromsaid vehicle, further comprises said information storage device having adriver's driver license identification number and informationidentifying a state that issued a driver license to said driver.
 48. Themethod according to claim 43 such that said step of establishing acommunication link between said data collection unit and a vehiclehaving an input-output device mounted in said vehicle and capable ofreceiving input data from an information storage device removable fromsaid vehicle, further comprises said information storage device havingdriver's medical and dental history information and emergency contactsinformation.
 49. The method according to claim 43 such that said step ofestablishing a communication link between said data collection unit anda vehicle having an input-output device mounted in said vehicle andcapable of receiving input data from an information storage deviceremovable from said vehicle, further comprises said information storagedevice having a vehicle license number and vehicle identificationnumber.
 50. The method according to claim 43 such that said step ofestablishing a communication link between said data collection unit anda vehicle having an input-output device mounted in said vehicle andcapable of receiving input data from an information storage deviceremovable from said vehicle, further comprises said information storagedevice having a vehicle make and model identification.
 51. The methodaccording to claim 43 such that said step of establishing acommunication link between said data collection unit and a vehiclehaving an input-output device mounted in said vehicle and capable ofreceiving input data from an information storage device removable fromsaid vehicle, further comprises said information storage device having avehicle maintenance and repair history information and vehicleperformance information.
 52. The method according to claim 43 such thatsaid step of establishing a communication link between said datacollection unit and a vehicle having an input-output device mounted insaid vehicle and capable of receiving input data from an informationstorage device removable from said vehicle, further comprises saidinformation storage device having a account balance information.
 53. Themethod according to claim 43 such that said step of establishing acommunication link between said data collection unit and a vehiclehaving an input-output device mounted in said vehicle and capable ofreceiving input data from an information storage device removable fromsaid vehicle, further comprises said information storage device having avehicle passenger's name and address.
 54. The method according to claim43 such that said step of establishing a communication link between saiddata collection unit and a vehicle having an input-output device mountedin said vehicle and capable of receiving input data from an informationstorage device removable from said vehicle, further comprises saidinformation storage device having a vehicle passenger's medical anddental history information and emergency contacts information.